Dasha is a Miami-based kickboxing instructor that continues to refine her skills. She has traveled around the world visiting various Muay Thai academies and trains in local kickboxing and CrossFit gyms. Her love for fitness and MMA pushes her to train every day and help others do the same. She is a true Athlon Athlete.

Full name: Dasha Saied

Hometown: Miami, Florida

The sport of choice: MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)

When did you start pursuing fitness and how did you start?

I started around 12 and I started because I wanted to push my body to new levels and be able to perform things I knew my body was capable of doing.

What would you say was the biggest challenge when starting?

The biggest challenge was not comparing myself to others. I found myself getting frustrated that I wasn't reaching my goals fast enough. I then realized that I shouldn't compare myself to other athletes because everyone has their own journey and you should take it step by step and focus on yourself.

What motivated you to take the next step in your fitness career?

After fighting for a long period of time, I became more invested in my sport. I realized that I wanted to do this for a living and I wanted to help others become focused and motivated in the sport that I know.

What's the number one thing you'd recommend an athlete to do to achieve their fitness goals?

It's all about consistency. You have to say it and do it. I recommend writing down your goals and always remind yourself what you want to accomplish so you can wake up driven and ready to pursue your goals.

What’s your ideal cardio and your favorite lift?

My ideal cardio is kickboxing and my favorite lift is the clean and press. The clean and press is my strongest lift and they give me the best pump. It's a great compound lift that gives your whole body a great workout. It releases my stress and allows me to disconnect from it all.

How have you used Athlon Rub in the past?

I recently started using it and it's helped me with an ankle and neck injury that I had. I use it mostly for recovery as it relaxes my sore spots.

What are your aspirations?

I would like to be a personal trainer and would like to teach others the art of kickboxing. Additionally, I would like to help people live a healthier life through my teachings.

Video of Dasha training at the Phuket Top Team in Thailand:

More on Dasha:

Fact: She's a kickboxing instructor and has competed in multiple tournaments